Champions League triumph would change how Manchester City are viewed as a club, says Kevin De Bruyne

The Champions League remains the missing puzzle in Manchester City's masterpiece. Pep Guardiola's side have won all there is to offer domestically, but have repeatedly fallen short in Europe.

An agonizing defeat in last season's final added to their recent shortcomings in the tournament, but they've again battled their way to the final four this season, where they face Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The first leg was full of action as the Citizens went head-to-head with the 13-time winners and came out on top in a thrilling 4-3 win.

But they now have to travel to Madrid for the second leg, as Carlo Ancelotti's side look to overturn the deficit.

European success is undoubtedly City's priority this season despite them currently leading the Premier League by a point ahead of rivals Liverpool, and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne thinks lifting the trophy will change the way the club are perceived.

"I think it would change the perspective from outside," said the Belgian playmaker.

"Obviously as a player you want to win the trophies, and you want to win this one. But I think the fact we've been fighting for numerous years and getting to the latter stages means that we've been doing really well.

"It's a cup competition and the quality is very high so it's very, very difficult to win it, and there's different circumstances that happen.

"I think in the end if you look back at the way we performed, or I performed over seven years with the team, we did really well. But obviously we didn't win it, and I think winning it would just change that little narrative."

But while the pressure continues to mount on City to win the Champions League, De Bruyne added that the club's consistency with winning titles in recent years means they'll eventually get their hands on the silverware.

"I think we are in a very good way. Obviously the fact that we've not won it yet, I think that will probably be the only criticism we can get.

"I think for the rest, we've been there loads of times, and we've been always fighting to win this competition. So the consistency we have as a club has been amazing, I think pretty much as good as anybody else. But we just need to try to get over the line, and tomorrow is another step."

The second leg between the sides takes place on Wednesday night, with kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu scheduled for 20:00 BST.